Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Council of Administration MeetingAugust 12, 2007
St. Louis, Missouri

Meeting Minutes

The Post-Encampment Council of Administration meeting was opened by Commander-in-Chief Charles Kuhn at 8:00 am. The opening prayer was offered by National Chaplain Jerome Kowalski, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The roll of officers was called, with the following recorded as present:

Guests of the Council of Administration included Executive Director Lee Walters, National Chaplain Jerome Kowalski and Past National Secretary Michael Bennett.

Commander-in-Chief Kuhn issued the new username and password to the Council of Administration for the Electronic Boardroom for the 2007-2008 administrative year.

Commander-in-Chief Kuhn initiated a discussion on 2007-2008 membership dues for National Members-at Large. A motion was made by Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Medert to keep the membership dues at $31, prorated in July for 6 months, with a $10 application fee. Second was made by PCinC Pahl. Motion passed.

The discussion relative to National Membership-at-Large continued with a vote on National Member-at-Large Coordinator. Motion was made by Council Member Petrovic to appoint Alan Russ as NMAL Coordinator for the 2007-2008 administrative year. Second was made by Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief Kennedy. Motion passed.

Commander-in-Chief Kuhn initiated a discussion on waiver of membership dues for Brothers serving in a combat zone. Motion made by PCinC James Pahl that dues and application fees for Brothers serving in a combat zone be waived. Second was made by Council Member Hanby. Motion passed. It was also noted that Camps must supply the letter requesting the waiver.

Commander-in-Chief Kuhn opened a discussion on sale of 2007 National Encampment items. Motion made by Council Member Schmincke to grant approval to the Department of Missouri to sell items associated with the 2007 National Encampment until they are gone. Second was made by National Quartermaster Wheeler. Motion passed.

Commander-in-Chief Kuhn initiated a discussion on pre-1996 Life Membership reimbursement. Motion made by Council Member Hanby to keep the reimbursement at $6. Second was made by Council Member Schall. Motion passed.

Commander-in-Chief Kuhn opened a discussion on the on-line application, noting that his goal is to complete the process by the end of the 2007-2008 administrative year. The Commander-in-Chief noted his appointment of Jerry Sayre, Commander of the Department of California & Pacific, as an Aide to the Committee on Membership. Senior Vice Commander Medert mentioned that many of the contacts listed on Department websites are out of date. He followed this with a motion to have any changes in contacts listed on Department websites be sent immediately to Executive Director Lee Walters and National Webmaster Ken Freshley. Second was made by Council Member Hanby. Motion passed.

Commander-in-Chief Kuhn initiated a discussion on database software for Graves Registration and other functions of the Order. The Commander-in-Chief noted that this was turned over to the Committee on Communications & Technology and he would like to have this resolved by the end of the 2007-2008 administrative year. Council Member Schmincke offered to serve as a consultant if needed, and was subsequently appointed as an Aide to the Committee on Communications & Technology.

PCinC George Powell distributed a list of proposed changes to the Credentials Set-Up process from the Special Committee on National Encampment Registration. A discussion ensued relative to the item dealing with purchase of computers to support the National Encampment. Motion made by PCinC Pahl to appoint a committee to explore the possibility of purchasing three (3) laptops to go to the Executive Director, National Secretary and the BANNER Editor, including a process to make sure they get to the National Encampment, and assign the National Treasurer to investigate the feasibility of such a purchase. PCinC Powell offered a friendly amendment to include a printer, network switch and cables, and have the committee provide a report at the next Council of Administration meeting. The amendment was accepted by PCinC Pahl. Second was made by Council Member Schmincke. Motion passed, with one CoA member in opposition.

On the subject of Credentials, the Commander-in-Chief assigned the Committee on Program and Policy to investigate how to make Credentials information part of the National Database per the list of proposed changes submitted by PCinC Powell.

Commander-in-Chief Kuhn opened a discussion on distribution of National Encampment proceedings. The Commander-in-Chief requested a change be made to the Credentials Card to include a box to be checked if a copy of the proceedings is requested. This is to be forwarded to the Committee on Program and Policy per the 126 th National Encampment. In addition, the Commander-in-Chief appointed the BANNER Editor to place an ad in the BANNER informing members that copies of old proceedings currently available to the membership will be disposed of in the Spring of 2008. Those wishing to receive back copies of proceedings should respond by that time.

Commander-in-Chief Kuhn initiated a discussion on the “domain squatter” and the suvcw.com domain. The Commander-in-Chief noted that this issue was passed to the Council of Administration for action by the 126 th National Encampment. PCinC Pahl recommending sending a “less than friendly” letter to the domain squatter associated with the suvcw.com domain. The Commander-in-Chief volunteered to contact the National Counselor and request that a letter be sent on behalf of the Order.

Commander-in-Chief Kuhn opened a discussion on licensing of the SUVCW name and logos and asked applicants to present their requests. On behalf of McCormick Camp #215 from the Department of Missouri, Council Member Petrovic presented a banner the Camp wishes to sell at a cost of $175. Motion made by PCinC Pahl to approve this request as presented through the next post-Encampment Council of Administration meeting provided that one of the G.A.R. badges on the banner is changed to the badge of our Order. The motion was amended to clarify that the G.A.R. badge should be on the left and the SUVCW membership badge should be on the right. Second was made by Council Member Schmincke. Motion passed.

On the issue of the badges/challenge coins offered by Garfield Camp #142 from the Department of Ohio, PCinC Pahl made a motion to recall the badges/challenge coins, have the Camp refund all money and destroy the die. The motion was amended to state that funds returned be sent to the National organization to be deposited into the Monuments and Memorials Fund. Second was made by Quartermaster Danny Wheeler. Motion passed. The Commander-in-Chief requested that the National Secretary send a letter highlighting the actions requested by the Council of Administration to the Garfield Camp on behalf of the National organization. The letter is to be reviewed by the National Counselor prior to release.

PCinC Powell presented two versions of golf shirts the Department of Pennsylvania would like to sell. The first incorporated the SUVCW logo with the words “Department of Pennsylvania”. It was noted that if it was only for sale to Department members, that a license was not needed. The second incorporated the SUVCW coat of arms. Motion made by PCinC Pahl to approve the request. Second was made by Council Member Hanby. Motion passed.

Council Member Petrovic presented a polo shirt that contained the Past Commander-in-Chief’s badge. Motion made by PCinC Powell to allow Council Member Petrovic to produce shirts/jackets containing the PCinC badge for sale to any PCinC. Second was made by Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Medert. Motion passed, with one CoA member in opposition.

There was no old business brought before the Council of Administration.

Under new business:

Commander-in-Chief Kuhn noted that there are currently no requirements in the Constitution & Regulations for a Camp to hold meetings. Motion made by Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Medert to adopt a policy stating that Camps must hold meetings at least twice each year. Second was made by Council Member Hanby. Motion passed.

PCinC Pahl presented the $250 “love token” from the Auxiliary to Commander-in-Chief Kuhn. The Commander-in-Chief tasked the National Secretary to send a letter of thanks.

On the subject of seniority, Commander-in-Chief Kuhn made a ruling that when a Brother on the Council of Administration is elected to a second consecutive term, his seniority begins on the date he was elected to his first term.

Commander-in-Chief Kuhn announced the Memorial Grant Committee for 2007-2008. Council Member Schall, being senior member of the Council, will serve as Chairman, with Council Members Murray and Hanby also serving on the Committee.

For the “Good of the Order”, Council Member Hanby announced three new Lincoln Fellows: Jim Crane from the Department of Ohio, National Webmaster Ken Freshley and Meade Camp #5 from the Department of Maryland.

On behalf of the Department of Missouri, Council Member Petrovic wished to thank the Council of Administration for the opportunity to host the 2007 National Encampment.

Quartermaster Wheeler announced that the Quartermaster Store did well at the National Encampment, with over $6,100 in sales. The previous high at a National Encampment was $3,100.

PCinC Pahl offered to serve as Assistant National Counselor for Digest.

PCinC Michaels requested that a reminder be sent to Department webmasters to update Department websites when new officers are elected.

Executive Director Walters highlighted a recommendation in his report to the Council of Administration to only use the current version of forms.

With no further business to come before the Council, Commander-in-Chief Kuhn adjourned the meeting at 10:15 am.

Respectfully Submitted in Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty,

Donald D. Palmer, Jr., PDC

National Secretary, SUVCW

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